Jeannette Imonti

1936 - 2017

Jeannette Imonti
February 14, 1936 - October 22, 2017
Glenview
Jeannette Imonti, 81, of Niles Illinois, died Sunday, October 22, 2017. She was born to Ellen and Virgil Grimes on February 14, 1936, in San Angelo Texas, the oldest of three.
Jeannette spent her teenage years in San Pedro CA after the family moved there. Being raised in a deaf household, both of her parents deaf and ASL speakers, she signed before she ever spoke. Sign language a lifelong passion for her, she studied to be an interpreter later in life.
She met Dominic Imonti working at the LAX airport, the father of her three children. Dominic and Jeannette were married from 1958 to 1979 and moved to their dream ranch in Bonny Doon California in 1969 to breed and raise appaloosa horses. Shortly after, her parents sister and brother moved to the area as well. After trying her hand at the ranch life, Jeannette went on to become the administrative assistant to the VP of maintenance with the Santa Cruz Transit District and retired in 1996. During these years she raised three kids (Steven, Lisa and Linda). She was an inspiration to all her kids, teaching them perseverance, persistence, determination, love, kindness and passion. She had a love for hot air balloons and traveled many times to events, riding in one early on and getting her last ride in at the age of 79 just outside of Chicago! Her second love was teddy bears and even currently maintained a collection of over 200 bears from all over the country. Jeannette's greatest love was her 4 grandkids, retiring early to spend as much time as possible with them. She shared special time with each grandchild, pondering the wonders of life. With a great ability to love and accept, she embraced each grandchild's uniqueness.
A women known for her kindness, compassion and love for all. She taught us to laugh a little more, love a little more and HUG as much possible.
She is proceeded in death by mother, Ellen Grimes; father Virgil Grimes; brother Virgil Grimes Jr.
Jeannette is survived by her sister, Joyce Agur; son Steven (Christine) Imonti of Las Vegas NV; daughters Lisa (Richard) Eddy Imonti of Hanford CA and Linda (Dave) Imonti-Way of Glenview IL; four grandchildren Joseph Imonti-Cortes, Audra Imonti, Kayla Imonti-Way and Jade Imonti-Eddy; many dearly loved nieces and nephews; cherished lifelong friends Dorothy, Kathy, Margaret and Marion.
A celebration of life will be held in the Santa Cruz area in February 2018. For additional information, please contact LImontiWay@gmail.com


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